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The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

This Dillon brewery is re-branding itself along with a slight name change and getting ready to put out a new line of canned beer. Pug Ryan's in Dillon, Colorado is now simply called "Pug Ryan's Brewing Company". Check out their news in today's press release.

Pug Ryan’s Embarks on New Branding ApproachBrewery to Rebrand with New Logo, New Cans, New Packaging … An All New Style!

Dillon, Colo. – June 19, 2013 – Pug Ryan’s Brewing Company, formerly Pug Ryan’s Steakhouse & Brewery, is getting a new look … and a new name. The rebranding campaign launching this week includes a brand new logo, new can design, fresh packaging and an overall theme that fits the new “Wild West” mantra … “Brewed for the Outlaw in You.”

“The Outlaw motto has always been part of Pug Ryan’s image, and now as Pug heads off into the mountains with his horse, we think of what outlaw means to us,” said president/owner Travis Holton. “We work and play where we choose to live as our people like to hike, camp, ski, snowboard, back country ski, bike, raft, kayak, paddle board (no shuffle board allowed) and take our canned beer everywhere we go. We will never grow to the extent of a Front Range production brewery … our team is made up of mountain folks. We plan to stay up here and make the best beer we can brew.”
With the new can design comes a slightly different focus in the style of beer to be canned. Lagers are to become the focused style for head brew master Dave Simmons as the Dunkel, Helles and Pilsner will now stock the liquor store shelves while the Morningwood Wheat takes a hiatus. On par with the style, the names are changing as well. The Helles Bock converts into the Hideout Helles, the Pallavicini Pilsner becomes the Peacemaker Pilsner and the Dunkel transforms into the Deadeye Dunkel.

“Our brewers make so many incredible lagers, and we all love lagers, so why not brew and can what we love to drink,” adds Holton. “I think once the consumer has tested our new brews, they, too, will agree.”

“The Morningwood Wheat was the first of our beers to be canned, but we are discontinuing this beer in the can to make room for our new Lagers,” Holton says. “You may see the wheat rereleased down the road in a 22oz. bomber. Definitely a local favorite, we will hopefully always offer the wheat on tap in the brewpub.”

With the new logo and new packaging also comes an exciting array of new products including men’s and women’s tee shirts, new branded stainless steel growlers available in 40 and 64-ounce sizes, and a newly designed dining menu.

All of this comes on the heels of last summer’s wildly successful brewery expansion with the addition of three new 45 barrel fermenters and two 45 barrel serving tanks – more than doubling the brewing capacity and allowing Simmons to focus much more on seasonal specialty beers. The expansion and remodel not only including enhancements to the brewery, but added improved restroom facilities and additional seating on a brand new outdoor deck … all of which makes Pug Ryan’s a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

“We had no idea how much we needed more room until the expansion was completed in May of 2012” says Holton. “Our added brew capacities have given our brewers room to be flexible in some of their seasonal brews while giving us the capacities to handle quite a bit of additional production.”

Holton continues, “The remodeling of our bar space is roomy and more comfortable than it was prior to the expansion. Our new deck faces west and the sunsets are amazing.”

Pug Ryan’s Brewing Company and the Pug Ryan’s Lakeside Tiki Bar are both open for lunch from mid-May to mid-September from 11:30am to 5:00pm. The Tiki Bar typically closes at sunset (weather permitting) while the brewpub converts to a dinner menu from 5:00pm to 10:00pm with bar hours sometimes continuing until 2:00am.

The public can check out the new cans on display this Saturday, June 22 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, as Pug Ryan's is the sponsor brewery for the Lake Dillon Brew Festival on the shores of Lake Dillon. Tickets may be purchased at the event or in advance online at dillondba.org.

“Creating our new brand has been especially rewarding,” Holton says with a smile. “Working through the process with our consultant and art team proved to be a challenge, but also a lot of fun. Breathing new life into the legend of Pug Ryan may mean that he’s still ‘hiding’ somewhere in the mountains of Colorado. In the true cowboy fashion, “Riding for the Brand” has a whole new meaning.”

About Pug Ryan’s Brewing Company
Pug Ryan’s opened in 1975 making it the oldest steak house in Dillon. Travis and Annie Holton purchased Pugs in 1986 and have owned and operated ever since. The brewery started in 1996 and poured its first beer February 1, 1997. In May, 2012 the Pugs expansion was completed – additional brewery space and equipment were added with a new deck, bathrooms, entrance and remodeled side dining room. Pug Ryan’s has a family feel with its staff with the majority of staffers being long-time friends and several of the managers are shareholders and have worked for Pugs for over a decade. For more information, visit pugryans.com.

About Pug Ryan’s Lakeside Tiki Bar
Pug Ryan’s Lakeside Tiki Bar at the Lake Dillon Marina is open seasonally during the warm summer months. With the best view in Summit County and the light lake breeze to keep you cool while sipping on your Rumrunner, it’s easy to see why the Tiki Bar has drawn travelers from around the world. In May of 2013 Pugs added a brand new, custom built 28-foot kitchen, enhancing its menu with fresher ingredients and increased food production.